Explore the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire

The famous Preseli Hills (Mynydd Preseli) are a collection of ancient grassy hills that stretch across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and can be enjoyed as part of a small hike or an overnight stay.

Rich in ancient Welsh heritage, this small but spectacular range continues to captivate people with its diverse ecosystem, no matter the season. From breathtaking views of the coastline to the tiny villages nestled in the foothills, a visit at any time of the year to the Preseli Hills will allow you to escape into nature and embrace the magic.

From scaling snow-covered peaks in mid-winter to strolling through carpets of heather layering the land in late summer, all you need is a clear day to see the Llŷn Peninsula to the north and Ireland to the west. The Preseli Hills are the highest hills in Pembrokeshire, and Preseli bluestones have been found at Stonehenge.

Do it in a day or stay overnight

Whether you’re looking for overnight accommodation or just roaming the area for a few hours, you will still be able to appreciate the prominent landscapes, glorious sea views, and long standing monuments and relics. With the tallest point only being 536m, none of the routes in the area are overly strenuous.

Pack a picnic and give yourself half a day to tackle the picturesque Golden Road that runs east to west along the spine of the hills. This can be done in either direction, although walking westwards will offer you sea views and the setting sun in the afternoon. From Bronze Age burial cairns, stone circles connected to the Arthurian legend, and the impressive Iron Age Foel Drygarn hillfort on the eastern end offering dramatic elevated views.

You could also tour the area by bike and Hidden Routes offers a great selection of packages using their purpose-built mountain bikes and pre-mapped trails.

For a full day of outdoor adventures or even a few days of camping, visit Llys-y-frân Lake on the southern edge of the Preseli Hills. This 350-acre attraction offers a huge range of family-friendly activities, including water sports, swimming, fishing, climbing, cycling and walking trails. You can hire everything from bikes to boats, to canoes and kayaks, and even take part in archery and axe-throwing. This rural retreat with a café and gift shop is open all year long and offers a superb visitor experience with something for everyone.

Scolton Manor is also the perfect place for a lovely day out, and with plenty to see inside and outside of this Victorian manor house, this is a great choice, whatever the weather. With 60 acres of grounds, there are nature trails, play areas and the chance to see the Pembrokeshire Beekeeping Association in action. A visit to the house itself offers a museum and exhibition area, a walled garden, a café and a gift shop where you can buy some of that local honey.

There are plenty of places to find local cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a freshly cooked meal, a tasty bar snack or a refreshing pint, the Tafarn Sinc is the perfect place to finish up after a long day navigating the Preseli Hills. A traditional pub with plenty of original charm and character that sits in the heart of the hills, this community-owned enterprise will allow you to test your Welsh language skills whilst admiring the views or cosied up by the fire.